Shoplifter Hanover defeated the favoured entry to kick off the Miss Onager Claiming Series at Fraser Downs on Friday night for the father-son team of trainer Gord Abbott and driver John Abbott.
The $5,000 first leg division of the series for $4,500 claiming mares and fillies opened Friday's card and Shoplifter Hanover followed mid-pack through fractions of :28.1, :58.2 and 1:27.3 before sprinting home for the 1:57.3 one length triumph. In search of her fifth win in a row, pacesetter Real Vintage and driver Jim Marino had to settle for second-place honours this time out while pocket-sitter Red Star Brooklyn and trainer/driver David McKellar finished third.
Shoplifter Hanover paid $11.70 to win as part of the 4-1 entry. Her stablemate, Garden Gate Storm, was claimed from the race after finishing eighth. Real Vintage was also scooped up by new connections.
Shoplifter Hanover was claimed on Oct. 27 at Fraser for $3,750 by Surrey's Sharon Robinson and has since earned two wins in seven starts from the Abbott stable. The six-year-old Dragon Again mare's previous win in a $3,000 claiming event on Nov. 17 was her only victory of 2013 from 18 outings.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Fraser Downs.